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Grace McPhillips '03 working to produce feature film

Grace McPhillips '03 has completed a script and is working to produce a film about fellow Montgomery, Ala., native Zelda Fitzgerald, the wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Grace McPhillips '03 and her co-producer, Bob Hudgins, who brings more than 25 years of industry experience to the project.

McPhillips, a graduate of Elon's music theater program, has worked as an actress, writer and producer in Chicago since completing her degree. She has appeared in TV shows, commercials, short films, dance and musical theater. A short film she produced and starred in, "Fitting," was featured in a March "Females in Film" screening series hosted by Women in Film's Chicago Chapter.

Recently, McPhillips embarked on a much larger project.

She partnered with a Los Angeles-based screenwriter to write a script for a feature-length film tentatively titled "Beautiful Little Fools." The story follows a lead character, Zelda Stone, who moves from Seattle to Montgomery with her husband and discovers she shares a name with Fitzgerald, one of the town's most famous natives. In addition to co-writing and producing the film, McPhillips expects to play one of the film's lead roles.

McPhillips (right) speaking at Women in Film Chicago's "Females in Film" screening.

McPhillips is currently shopping the script, which she hopes to begin filming this fall. She's interested in getting Elon alumni involved in several capacities, from on-screen talent (the script has 76 speaking roles) to production staff to investors.

"I love connecting with people I know and trust," McPhillips says. "I would love to have Elon people have a role in this film."